Why Do Gorillas Eat Their Poop? Surprising Science Explained

Gorillas are known for their intelligence, strength, and gentle social bonds—but there’s one behavior that often leaves people puzzled: why do gorillas eat their poop? While it might seem odd or even gross at first glance, this action—called coprophagy—is a biologically driven behavior with real functions. From nutrient absorption to gut health, the reasons are both fascinating and practical once you look past the surface.

Let’s walk through what this behavior means, why it happens, and how it fits into the bigger picture of gorilla biology and behavior.

Why Do Gorillas Eat Their Poop? And What Is Coprophagy

Coprophagy refers to the consumption of feces and is not exclusive to gorillas. In fact, it’s quite common across the animal kingdom, especially among herbivores. Rabbits, elephants, hippos, and even some insects use coprophagy as a way to extract nutrients that weren’t absorbed the first time food passed through their digestive systems.

For gorillas, who survive largely on a fiber-heavy, plant-based diet, the process of digestion isn’t always complete in one round. Their bodies sometimes need a second attempt to fully absorb essential nutrients, especially those created during fermentation in the large intestine. **This helps answer why do gorillas eat their poop because it’s a strategy to recover nutritional value from food that would otherwise go to waste.

Nutritional Reasons Behind Coprophagy

The average gorilla diet is packed with leaves, stems, shoots, and fruit. While healthy, these foods are full of cellulose, a type of fiber that’s extremely tough for mammals to break down. Unlike humans who consume both plant and animal products, gorillas rely entirely on fiber-rich vegetation to fuel their massive bodies.

Digestion in gorillas doesn’t rely solely on their stomachs. Most of the actual nutrient breakdown happens in the colon, where billions of gut bacteria work to ferment plant matter. This process produces short-chain fatty acids, vitamins, and other nutrients that are essential—but here’s the catch: by the time they’re produced in the large intestine, they’re out of reach for effective absorption.

That’s where coprophagy comes in. By re-ingesting their feces, gorillas allow these fermentation by-products a second trip through the digestive system, where the small intestine the primary site for nutrient uptake—can now do its job more effectively.

This form of nutrient recycling is an adaptive advantage that helps gorillas get the most out of a diet that is otherwise low in easily absorbable energy.

Do Gorillas Eat Their Poop for B12?

Yes, and this is one of the most practical biological reasons behind coprophagy in gorillas. Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that supports brain function, the nervous system, and the production of red blood cells. Since gorillas eat only plants—and B12 isn’t naturally found in plant sources they face a nutritional gap that needs to be filled another way.

Thankfully, the bacteria in a gorilla’s large intestine produce B12 during the fermentation of plant material. But here’s the challenge: the large intestine isn’t built to absorb this vitamin effectively. Instead, most nutrient absorption happens in the small intestine, which comes earlier in the digestive tract. By re-ingesting their feces, gorillas give their bodies another chance to absorb B12 and other valuable by-products from bacterial fermentation.

This isn’t unique to gorillas rabbits and other herbivores do the same. In fact, it’s a well-adapted nutritional strategy for animals that can’t get essential nutrients from their primary diet alone. For gorillas, this simple act ensures they meet their vitamin needs without relying on animal-based food sources.

Environmental and Behavioral Factors Behind Coprophagy in Gorillas

Health Implications of Coprophagy

Like many animal behaviors, coprophagy has both potential benefits and risks. While it may serve important biological functions, it also requires monitoring—especially in controlled environments like zoos. Here’s a closer look at what it means for a gorilla’s health:

Gut Health Benefits

• Eating feces can help restore gut bacteria that are essential for digestion.
• It may stabilize the microbial balance in the intestines, especially after illness or antibiotic use.
• Reintroducing beneficial microbes supports digestive recovery and may improve nutrient absorption.
• Some gorillas have shown faster recovery rates after illness when coprophagy resumes, likely due to microbiome restoration.

Potential Risks

• Feces can contain parasites, bacteria, or pathogens, particularly in enclosed or unsanitary conditions.
• Frequent coprophagy might lead to gastrointestinal issues, especially if the waste material contains harmful organisms.
• It could mask underlying health problems, such as nutritional deficiencies or digestive disorders.
• Zoos and sanctuaries monitor the frequency and context of this behavior as a signal of both physical and mental health.

Wrapping Up

So, why do gorillas eat their poop? The answer is surprisingly practical. Whether it’s to reclaim nutrients, absorb vitamin B12, support gut health, or deal with stress in captivity, this behavior plays a role in their survival and well-being.

Understanding this process gives you a clearer view of gorillas—not as strange creatures with bizarre habits, but as intelligent beings using every tool in their biological toolkit. It’s one more reminder that nature often has reasons we don’t immediately understand—but once we do, it all starts to make sense.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q1. Do all gorillas eat their poop?

No, it’s more common in captivity or under stress, not all gorillas do it.

Q2. Is it harmful?

Not always. It can be helpful, but frequent behavior may need monitoring.

Q3. What nutrients do they get from it?

 Mainly Vitamin B12, gut-friendly bacteria, and other missed nutrients.

Q4. Do young gorillas copy this behavior?

Yes, they often imitate adults through observation and social learning.

Q5. Can it help sick gorillas recover?

Yes, it may help restore gut health and support faster healing.